I attribute much of my daughter’s success to the skills she is learning in her therapeutic riding lessons. She has grown in social skills and athleticism that enriches her life.

– Matthew Clous

Our Mission

Dreams on Horseback was founded to help people with challenges improve their lives through horse-partnered learning experiences and education.

Give

Riley’s anxiety has lifted. Alicia takes her medicine willingly in exchange for riding lessons. Ben can walk farther and stand longer. Cameron’s attitude at school has improved. Ruth’s caregivers have seen a decrease in her agitation. Important dreams fulfilled by your gift of hope to Dreams on Horseback.

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Volunteer

As part of our team, you will get to live the dream right alongside our students, inspiring staff, and gentle horses. Have experience with horses? Wonderful! No experience? No problem! We will provide training and opportunity as you grow into an important part of our Dreams family of volunteers.

Apply to Volunteer

Participate

Riding lessons are offered to people of all ages and abilities. Depending on your personal goals, riding lesson objectives can range from therapeutic based activities on horseback to preparation for off-site horse show participation. Get started working toward your personal riding goals today!

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Military Connections

Whether you are active, a veteran, or a military family, we have a suite of programs designed to bring connection, peace, and joy to your life. Explore how you or your family might benefit from these programs that are offered completely free of charge.

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In The News

 Dreams on Horseback faces Covid 19 Challenges with Hope for the Future

Military Connections at Dreams on Horseback:
Where Connection is Key

Disney, Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year Nominee: Bell-Wallace Family

Columbus Underground Features Dreams on Horseback 

John Newman 2020 Everyday Hero Semifinalist  

John Ondo of OndoMedia was recently awarded his fourth Emmy for his video essay on the importance of the work we do at Dreams on Horseback to two of our participants and their families. Please enjoy John’s award winning film!

Military Connections 2018 from Ondo Media on Vimeo.

Events and News

Do Good at Dreams on Horseback

The holidays are known for their ability to inspire people to look beyond themselves and “do good” in the world.  Won’t you consider partnering with Dreams on Horseback to help others find a place to grow, to find acceptance, or to experience love, peace, and joy, the hallmarks of the holidays, with the help of a horse and some very special people?  Do good by making a donation today!

Donate Today

Fill Our Stocking During this Season of Giving

Each year our supplies begin to run low at about this time.  Make a donation from our Amazon Wishlist today and provided needed equipment for our horses, our participants, and our staff.

Amazon Wish List

The Drake Family

After deployment Nicole returned to her family.  When she came home her daughter Elaina couldn’t stop talking about the Military Kids Camp, she had gone to at Dreams on Horseback.  When Nicole learned there was a Military Family Riding program that she, Elaina and Chris, who also serves in the military, could enjoy together, she took no time in enrolling.  Nicole shares, “When you are away from your family, and you have to think about your own safety you lose connection. The program gave us an opportunity to practice relaxation, patience and new ways to communicate which really helped us reconnect as a family.”

Hippotherapy Study

Dreams on Horseback is honored to host an OSU hippotherapy study of the effect of hippotherapy and the equine environment on children with cerebral palsy and autism. While final results of the treatment are being tabulated and evaluated, parents and teachers of children like Lauren, are attesting to its effectiveness.

Therapeutic Riding Played Role in Recovery

Austyn’s mom Erika, a speech language pathologist, knew that her eighteen-month-old daughter should not be losing words that she once had mastered.  A diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech confirmed her concerns.  Therapies followed quickly with therapeutic riding being one of them.  Austyn delighted instructors and volunteers with her charming personality and is fully recovered.  No longer riding, Austyn enjoys cheerleading, soccer, reading, and declares herself “practically grown up.”  We are honored to have been part of Austyn and her family’s solution.

School-Based Programming

Dreams on Horseback has a long history of providing vocational training for public and private schools in search of transition skills instruction for their students.  School administrators and educators are encouraged to click on the link to learn more.

Watch Our Video of School-Based Programming

 

DVNF Awards Military Connections at Dreams on Horseback Support

Dreams on Horseback was thrilled to learn that DVNF bestowed a grant on our organization in support of our veteran and military participants. This grant will make possible a number of equine assisted learning opportunities including riding at our center. If you would like to learn more about these opportunities, please contact our new Military Connections coordinator, Heather Vaca-Guzman at info@dreamsonhorseback.org.

Our Programs

Program Descriptions

While Dreams on Horseback frequently custom designs programs for diverse groups, the following reflect our permanent programming opportunities:

Therapeutic Riding Lessons

Children and adults with special needs tackle their individual challenges from atop one of our kind and gentle therapy horses. Trained and certified instructors use engaging activities and games to encourage their students to solve problems, face fears, and complete physical tasks. Students are assisted by supportive side-walkers and a horse handler as they grow in competence.

Equine Assisted Learning

Horses are unique in their ability to read our non-verbal cues and give clear non-verbal feedback to us. These natural responses by our equine partners lay the groundwork for gifted instructors to lead participants on a journey of introspection. Participants may be asked to observe their equine partner’s response to them. What does this tell the participant about himself? It is up to the participant to decide.

Alzheimer’s Sensory Experiences

Seniors enjoy an outing to the farm where they are introduced to our horses through a variety of sensory experiences such as grooming, touching, education and observation. These sessions are led by our sensitive staff who have years of experience serving our seniors. An OSU study conducted in conjunction with Dreams on Horseback found that this program lessened agitation in participants.

Vocational Training

Dreams on Horseback offers young adults with special needs the opportunity to learn valuable work and social skills needed for the workplace. Students learn and provide the authentic service of caring for our barn and horses. Staff helps students realize and implement skills which will guarantee their success in their first work experience beyond Dreams on Horseback.

Military Connections at Dreams on Horseback

Dreams on Horseback is honored to host our military and veterans. These men and women learn the joys of horsemanship while participating in equine-assisted learning workshops that are designed with the unique experiences of military personnel and veterans in mind. Military and veterans are given the training necessary to serve as side-walkers or handlers for fellow service men or women riders or for our therapeutic lesson students.

Field Trips

Would your group enjoy a trip to the farm? Let us design a field trip customized to your time frame and preferred format (educational or experiential). Experience life on the farm, learn some fun facts about horses and their care, go for a handler led ride, and enjoy our beautiful grounds where you can lunch creek side in our beautiful wooded picnic grounds.

Traditional Riding Lessons

Dreams on Horseback offers traditional riding lessons for individuals wishing to learn to ride in either the English or Western tradition. These lessons are open to all individuals weighing less than 200 lbs. Whether your goals are to learn basic riding and horsemanship skills, or to prepare for off-grounds horse showing, Dreams on Horseback can help you reach your goals. Most traditional lessons are held at Stepping Stone Stables.

Corporate Team Building

Groups, such as corporate work teams, can also benefit from Equine Assisted Learning Methods. Participants are challenged to examine their role in their group by working together to meet a challenge put forth by the instructor. You'll never know where equine assisted learning might take you.

Schedule a Visit Today

Our programs, trips, and experiences are customize-able and flexible to fit a diverse array of needs. Contact us soon to find out more.

Our Partners and Donors

Helping others reach their dreams through horse-partnered programming can only happen through the pairing of our passion and your generous support. We thank you!